Death Toll Rises to 22 in Bangladesh Fighter Jet Crash Tragedy

International News: A tragic incident occurred in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, where an Air Force training aircraft crashed into a school building, killing 22 people and injuring more than 170 others. The accident happened around 1:30 PM during school hours, when classrooms were full of students. Most of the victims were children. In the wake of the tragedy, the government has announced a one-day national mourning.

The crash took place at Milestone School and College, a private educational institution in the city. The aircraft involved was an F-7 BGI fighter jet operated by the Bangladesh Air Force. The military confirmed that the aircraft crashed into the school shortly after takeoff. The pilot also died in the crash.

Casualties and Medical Emergency

Officials reported that 88 of the injured are being treated at seven different hospitals in Dhaka. Out of them, 25 people are in critical condition. So far, 17 bodies have been taken to city hospitals, including 10 children, while 7 bodies remain unidentified, though they are suspected to be minors as well.

Medical staff and emergency responders rushed to the site immediately. A resident surgeon, Shaon Bin Rahman, confirmed that two more victims later died at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, increasing the death toll to 22. Doctors warned that the number of fatalities could rise, given the severity of several injuries.

Sequence of Events and Pilot's Death

According to Air Force sources, the F-7 BGI fighter jet took off at 1:06 PM but crashed within 25 minutes into the school compound. Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with flames and black smoke engulfing the school premises. Students were seen running for safety. The Air Force deployed helicopters to airlift seriously injured individuals to nearby hospitals.

About the Aircraft

The F-7 BGI is a Chinese-made multirole fighter jet, developed from the Chengdu J-7, itself based on the Soviet-era MiG-21 design. Bangladesh purchased these jets in 2011 as part of its defense modernization efforts. This model is primarily used for training and combat exercises by the Bangladesh Air Force.

National Response and Mourning

The tragic incident has shaken the nation. With a large number of school children among the dead, public grief and outrage are growing. In response, the Bangladeshi government has declared a one-day national mourning to pay tribute to the victims of the tragedy.

Authorities have launched a formal investigation to determine the cause of the crash. Initial findings suggest a possible technical malfunction, but the exact reason will be confirmed after a detailed inquiry by aviation and defense experts.